Overlook Neighborhood Update (Sept. 24)

1) Development coming to Interstate and a new OKNA board member
2) Stretch of N Interstate Avenue to close (Sept. 26-Oct. 5)
3) Missing middle housing and multigenerational communities (Friday, Oct. 7)
4) New crime prevention coordinator for Overlook
5) Residential demolition data
6) Clean your stinky green compost bin


1) Development coming to Interstate and a new OKNA board member

At the Overlook Neighborhood Association general meeting held on Tuesday, residents elected the 2016-17 board. All sitting members were re-elected and we welcome new board member Gabriele Hayden. The full roster is on our website.

Residents at the meeting also heard from representatives of three apartment projects coming to N Interstate Avenue. All three are on the West side of Interstate. Together, they will bring more than 200 units to the corridor. Specifically:

Webster and Interstate apartments (one lot off Interstate behind Pause)

  • One 50×100 lot.
  • Four-story building – 48 feet tall.
  • 29 units ranging from studios to three-bedroom.
  • Ground floor fully ADA accessible.
  • No commercial space.
  • No parking spaces.
  • Construction to begin early 2017.

Interstate between Willamette and Emerson (Taco Time site)

  • 127,000 square feet.
  • 75 feet tall with step-down on the west side.
  • Commercial space on the ground floor.
  • 140 units from studios to two-bedroom.
  • 57 parking spaces with two entrances
  • 154 bike storage spaces
  • Plan to include 20 percent of units affordable to households at 80 percent of median income.
  • Construction to begin summer 2017.

Interstate between Alberta and Webster (Café Naturalia site)

  • 48,000 square fee
  • Five-story building
  • No commercial space.
  • 82 units at market rate
  • 19 parking spaces.
  • Possible two permanent Zipcar parking
  • 126 bike parking spaces.
  • Construction to begin early 2017.

A fourth project is upcoming on Interstate between Alberta and Webster across the street from the third project above on the dry cleaner site. It will be a city affordable housing project. We will update you when we learn more.


2) N Interstate Avenue to close for work between Overlook and downtown (Sept. 26-Oct. 5)

The Portland Bureau of Transportation advises the traveling public that street improvements will require a full road closure for people driving and biking on N Interstate Avenue from N Larrabee Avenue to N Tillamook Street, on Monday, September 26, through Wednesday, October 5, 7 a.m. through 4 p.m. each work day. Work is expected only on weekdays and the road will be open on the weekend.

The road closure will allow crews to grind and pave 1.77 lane miles of pavement.

Streets with ground down surfaces are open for travel. The road closure will only be in effect during project hours. Access will be maintained for businesses and residents during the project. Northbound traffic will be detoured onto N Larrabee Avenue and southbound traffic will be detoured onto the ramp that reconnects with Interstate at N Thunderbird Way via N Larrabee Avenue.

This area is a popular route for people traveling by bicycle and public transit. During work hours, expect to see signs indicating detours for all travelers. Consider using alternate routes.

For information on possible impacts to TriMet service, check trimet.org/alerts.

The traveling public is advised to expect delays while repairs are being made. Travel cautiously, observe all lane closures and directions by reader boards and flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible.

This work is weather-dependent and the schedule may change.


3) Learn about missing middle housing and multigenerational communities (Friday, Oct. 7)

Join AARP, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Portland for Everyone and Urban Land Institute for an engaging morning of dialog about housing, land use and creating communities for all ages.  Learn about “Missing Middle Housing” from the man who coined the term — nationally known architect and urbanist Daniel Parolek of Opticos Design, Inc.

Parolek will describe the full range of Missing Middle Housing options and trends in America’s residential landscape that often limit housing choice. Local experts will discuss housing trends, challenges and barriers to aging in community and meeting our region’s growing need for affordable, accessible, and age-friendly housing. Join us for this important conversation and be part of the solution.

Featured speakers, include Parolek; Alan DeLaTorre, Institute on Aging, Portland State University; Eli Spivak, Orange Splot, Inc.; Joe Zehnder, City of Portland; and Alma Flores, City of Milwaukie.

RSVP required. Register online at bit.ly/generations107.

Missing Middle Housing and Multigenerational Communities
Friday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. – noon (Check in and light breakfast starts at 8:30)
Crowne Plaza Portland – Downtown Convention Center (1441 NE 2nd Ave.)

missing_middle_housing


4) New crime prevention coordinator for Overlook

Please welcome Sofia Chavier, the new crime prevention coordinator. If you have any non-emergency issues, you can reach her at 503-823-4094 or sofia.chavier@portlandoregon.gov. She works Tuesday to Friday.

The next North Portland Public Safety Action Committee will be held on Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Kenton Firehouse.


5) Residential demolition data

In an effort to improve access to public information that is of interest to the community, the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services recently launched a Residential Demolitions Map of demolition permit activity within the City of Portland. The map includes demolition permit activity for single-family dwelling and duplex demolitions by year back to 2005.

Find more information about residential demolitions on the Bureau of Development Services website: Residential Demolition and Major Alteration and Addition Delay and Notification Information


6) Clean your green compost bin

compostThe Portland Planning and Sustainability Department has advice for keeping your compost bin clean. As with every chore, it’s either do it yourself, recruit a teenager, or pay someone else to cross off the task from your list.

Get some supplies ready to wash your roll cart: With a little dish soap, a handled brush or old rags and the garden hose, you can make the cart sparkle with some elbow grease.

Please pour the dirty water onto grass or gravel, not down the storm drain.

Watch a video with more tips online.

You can also contact your garbage and recycling company to arrange for them to deliver a clean cart for a $12 fee.

Here are some other tips for maintaining a cleaner roll cart:

  • Line the bottom of your green cart with newspaper, a paper bag or a pizza delivery box to help absorb moisture.
  • Layer food scraps in between yard debris to reduce odors and to contain messier foods.
  • Sprinkle baking soda in your compost cart to reduce odors and deter insects.
  • Store your cart in the shade in warm weather.